Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE SAMPLING ANALYSIS

RSPB Scotland

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Aug 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

RSPB Scotland is procuring aquatic invertebrate sampling analysis services for the Saving Scotland’s Scoters Development Phase project. The work will assess the aquatic food resources available to Common Scoters, a critically endangered diving duck, during important stages of their breeding cycle. Samples have been collected from known feeding areas at 21 freshwater lochs across five sites in northern Scotland, in two batches. The successful contractor will analyse the samples to identify the aquatic invertebrate species present, assess their availability and measure their relative abundance at each loch and feeding area. This is an environmental research and ecological analysis service, classified under CPV 71600000. Delivery is across the selected freshwater loch sites in northern Scotland.

The process reached tender: RSPB Scotland invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. It has one lot. The tender deadline was 31 August 2026 at 08:00 UTC, with bid opening at the same time. The contract period set by the buyer runs from 7 September 2026 to 30 November 2026. The estimated value is £28,000 including the stated currency, GBP. The contract is for services and bidders may not submit variants. Bids must be submitted in English. The award period starts on 31 August 2026. The requirement is presented as a single specification covering analysis of the aquatic invertebrate samples collected for the Common Scoters study.

This opportunity suits an environmental consultancy, freshwater ecology laboratory or specialist ecological research organisation with demonstrated experience in aquatic invertebrate sampling analysis. Suppliers should be able to receive and process samples collected from multiple freshwater lochs and across two sampling batches, identify different invertebrate species reliably, and report their availability and relative abundance by loch and feeding area. The work requires ecological interpretation relevant to the food resources of breeding Common Scoters, rather than general laboratory testing alone. A capable bidder will need sufficient specialist staff, laboratory or analytical capacity and quality-controlled methods to complete a multi-site study within the specified contract period. Experience of freshwater invertebrate communities, ecological survey data and conservation research would place suppliers well for this requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE SAMPLING ANALYSIS

Notice Description

RSPB are seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced contractor for the provision of aquatic invertebrate sampling analysis services. The services are to be delivered by 30 November 2026. The contract will commence on 7 September 2026. This work is part of the 'Saving Scotland's Scoters' Development Phase project, which is supported by the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Common Scoters (Melanitta nigra), a species of diving duck, breed in a small number of locations in northern Scotland but their populations have plummeted in recent decades and they are critically endangered. The work is part of a development study designed to assess the aquatic food resources available to Common Scoters at crucial stages during their breeding cycle. The Saving Scotland's Scoters project has collected aquatic invertebrate samples from a suite of 21 freshwater lochs at five sites across northern Scotland. The samples have been collected in two batches, from known feeding areas for the ducks/ducklings in each of the selected lochs. This study aims to capture information on the availability of different aquatic invertebrate species at each loch and their relative abundance in the feeding areas. 'Saving Scotland's Scoters' is a Development Phase project supported by the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot. The specification for one tender is described within the Invitation to Tender.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000839619
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG561894
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services

71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services

71632000 - Technical testing services

71900000 - Laboratory services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£28,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£28,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Sep 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
RSPB Scotland
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH12 9DH
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Drum Brae/Gyle
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

Loading OCDS record...